Davidson Survives Charleston Comeback in Five-Goal Thriller Wildcats Hold Off Late Surge After Tobe Ibe's Second-Half Brace Puts Visitors in Command
CHARLESTON, SC – Davidson College weathered a furious late rally to defeat College of Charleston 3-2 in a pulsating season opener at Patriots Point Soccer Complex on Monday night, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting 2025 campaign for both programs.
The match exploded into life in the 36th minute with two goals scored within 17 seconds of each other, creating one of the most dramatic sequences in recent college soccer memory. Charleston struck first when Lennon Gill found the back of the net with an assist from Caio Hughes at 36:16, only to see Davidson respond immediately through Myles Culley, who converted Baylen Young's precise delivery just 17 seconds later to level the contest at 1-1.
That rapid-fire exchange set the stage for Davidson's dominant second-half performance, orchestrated by the clinical finishing of forward Tobe Ibe. The Nigerian striker took control of the match after the break, scoring twice in seven minutes to seemingly put the game beyond Charleston's reach. His first goal at 51:38 came unassisted, showcasing his individual brilliance as he found space in the box and finished with composure. Ibe doubled his tally at 58:53, again working without assistance to give Davidson a commanding 3-1 advantage.
The statistical battle told the story of two evenly matched sides trading blows throughout the 90 minutes. Davidson edged the shot count 15-12 and matched Charleston with seven shots on target each, while both goalkeepers were called into action multiple times. Lucas Beltran in the Davidson goal made four crucial saves, while Charleston's Charlie Duske was equally busy with six stops to keep his side in contention.
Charleston's tactical adjustments in the final third of the match nearly produced a miraculous comeback. The Cougars increased their attacking intensity, with Ben Bagshaw emerging as a creative force down the stretch. His persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when he turned provider, delivering the assist for Stian Bendvold's goal that cut the deficit to 3-2 and set up a frantic finale.
The closing minutes saw Charleston throw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Bagshaw continued to threaten, testing Beltran with a dangerous effort in the 80th minute that forced a fine save from the Davidson goalkeeper. The home side's desperation was evident in their corner kick count, earning three set pieces compared to Davidson's five, but they couldn't find the crucial final touch.
Davidson's discipline proved crucial in seeing out the victory, despite accumulating three yellow cards compared to Charleston's clean disciplinary record. Jack Brown, Alonzo Clarke, and Matthew Thissell all saw yellow as the Wildcats managed the game's tempo and protected their narrow advantage.
The victory marks an encouraging start for Davidson's 2025 campaign, with Ibe's brace highlighting the attacking threat they possess. For Charleston, despite the defeat, there were positive signs in their resilient second-half performance and the creative spark provided by their substitutes, particularly the impact of Gill and Bendvold in key moments.
Both teams demonstrated the tactical sophistication and competitive spirit that makes college soccer compelling, delivering an entertaining spectacle that bodes well for their respective seasons ahead.
Key Players
- Tobe Ibe (Davidson) - Match-winner with two unassisted goals in seven second-half minutes, converting both shots on target with clinical precision
- Lennon Gill (Charleston) - Opened the scoring and remained dangerous throughout, recording three shots with two on target in 40 minutes of action
- Lucas Beltran (Davidson) - Solid goalkeeping performance with four saves to preserve the victory, including crucial stops during Charleston's late surge